Question

The term “living fossil” applies to which one or more of the following organisms?

• A. Coelacanth
• B. Echidna
• C. Horseshoe crab
• D. Rhinoceros viper

Hint:

Living fossils are organisms that have existed with little morphological change for long periods, offering insights into early life forms.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understand the concept of "living fossil."
A "living fossil" refers to an organism that has changed very little over millions of years and resembles species known only from the fossil record.

Step 2: Evaluate each option.
Option (A): The coelacanth is a well-known "living fossil" as it has been largely unchanged for around 400 million years, and it is often cited as the classic example of such species.
Option (B): The echidna is considered a living fossil due to its primitive features that date back to the Mesozoic era.
Option (C): The horseshoe crab is another example of a living fossil, with a lineage stretching back over 450 million years.
Option (D): The rhinoceros viper does not qualify as a living fossil as it is a relatively recent species in terms of evolutionary history.
Hence, the correct answers are (B) and (C).